2009 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Corvette years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
35/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.7× that of a typical Chevrolet Corvette year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 9 of its 151 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported problem: Fuel smell and leak from top of tank / pump area (73 complaints, median 49,000 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 151filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 38,500miles, 118 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 6.2L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2009 Corvette most often report a gasoline odor around the driver-side rear wheel well, strongest after fill-ups and when the tank is above roughly half, which many complaints trace to cracks or leaks at the top of the fuel tank or at fuel pump and crossover line fittings. A second cluster of complaints describes engine valve train noise and valve guide wear, with some owners reporting a valve failure and loss of power. Airbag warning lights appearing intermittently, often tied to seat position, are also reported.
- Fuel system
Fuel smell and leak from top of tank / pump area
- 73 complaints (48%)
- median 49,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (53 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $2,715 (median of 6 quotes)
- filed 2014–2025
Owners describe a strong gasoline odor after filling up, strongest near the driver-side rear tire or filler area, and say it lingers in a garage overnight. Many report the smell fades once the tank drops below about half and some see a wet area on or under the tank. Complaints describe dealers finding a cracked tank seam, filler line, crossover tube or pump fitting; some owners say dealers could not locate the source on pressure or smoke tests, and some say they paid for the repair themselves. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 130,000, most often between roughly 30,000 and 85,000 miles, nearly always after refueling.
What to check: Fill the tank above half and then smell around the driver-side rear wheel well and filler area after the car sits; look for damp spots on top of the tank. Ask whether the tank, pump fitting, filler line or crossover tube has been replaced, and keep records of any repair.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“This is my second complaint. When I fill my gas tank above 1/2 a tank I get a strong smell of gasoline in my garage and in my car. I filed a complaint with the ag and watson chevy had my car for 4 days and supposedly fixed the issue. It is now back. Every time I fuel up and I do not fill my car to full only just above half a tank and I still get this strong smell”
NHTSA complaint #11003266, filed 2017-07, 58,451 miles“I bought this car last year on september, the car for just 3500 miles, on november that year I put my car in storage, I picked my car up this year on march. Two months ago, I realized that after fueling my car a really strong smell like gas was present, I checked underneath both I couldn't see any leakage, but I checked the driver's side gas tank and it was kind of wet, I saw traces of gas droplets. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365815, filed 2020-10, 3,500 miles - Air bags
Airbag warning light comes on intermittently
- 14 complaints (9%)
- median 23,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
- filed 2013–2020
Owners describe the airbag warning light turning on and off, often after moving the power seat, over bumps, in hard stops or turns, or during brisk acceleration. Some complaints say dealers replaced seat airbags or pointed to wiring under the seats; others report the light returning. Reported from under 2,000 miles to about 60,000, commonly in the 9,000 to 45,000 mile range.
What to check: With the ignition on, move the driver and passenger seats through their full travel and watch whether the airbag light flickers or stays on; ask whether seat connectors or airbags have been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving the car through a residential area when the red air bag warning light in the instrument panel went on. I pulled the car to the side of the road and shut it off. Upon restarting the car, the light stayed on after the lamp tests completed. I then moved the driver's seat forward a bit (the car has power memory seats) and the light went off. I continued driving the car on a couple of errands w/o the light coming back on.”
NHTSA complaint #10608210, filed 2014-07, 13,442 miles“Air bag malfunction light turns on intermittently when car goes over a bump, or during quick stop, or sharp turn. This light indicates that the air bags will not deploy. Possibly related to the wiring harness underneath the seats. Since the light comes on during hard steering motion, bump, or rapid deceleration, I assume the air bags are unlikely to deploy during a crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10583860, filed 2014-04, 24,000 miles - Engine
Engine valve guide wear and valve train noise
- 21 complaints (14%)
- median 23,845 mi at 7.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
- filed 2015–2020
Owners report ticking or excessive top-end noise and, in some cases, a valve failing and the engine losing power while driving. Complaints describe dealers measuring valve guides out of specification and replacing cylinder heads or guides, sometimes under warranty. Several owners say they learned about the pattern through forums rather than from the dealer. Mostly reported between about 7,000 and 60,000 miles, with some failures during spirited or track driving.
What to check: Listen for ticking or irregular valve train noise at cold start and after warm-up, and ask whether valve guides were ever measured or heads replaced. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with this engine is worth the cost.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My engine experienced valve guide failure while driving which resulted in a complete loss of power and spilled oil all over the road. The entire engine was destroyed. If I had not been able to pull over safely it could have been very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11323493, filed 2020-05, 35,000 miles“I became aware of a potential valve guide wear issue with the ls7 and ls9 engines through the Corvette forum, the Corvette action center, and other sources. I began researching the issue and decided that I should have my car checked out at a GM dealership. It was determined that the valve train noise appeared to be normal and the engine was not burning or using any excessive oil. The more I followed the valve guide wear issue, the more concerned I became. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676466, filed 2015-01, 7,500 miles
Buying note. Check the fuel system carefully on this model year: fill the tank and look and smell around the driver-side rear wheel well, and confirm the fuel gauge behaves. Have an independent shop inspect the valve train and scan for stored airbag and fuel system codes before purchase.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 151 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette. 118 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,090 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Chevrolet Corvette model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 35 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system82 54%
- Engine24 16%
- Air bags15 9.9%
- Exterior lighting9 6.0%
- Electrical system8 5.3%
- Other or unknown7 4.6%
- Brakes5 3.3%
- Steering5 3.3%
- Body and structure5 3.3%
Also reported: Electronic stability control (4), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Takata recall when the fuel tank is above 1/2 is smell like fuel in my garage there a recall I have it at the dealership service writer call gmc and told him that they only cover 30 %,it was do at the end of the year or 120,000mil I don't have none of those it below mil and time”
NHTSA complaint #11164658, filed 2019-01, 95,000 milesEngine: “Although my car is a 2009 it only has 300 miles on it. The zo6 model which has the ls7 engine has a known valve issue with both intake and exhaust being out of spec and wearing rapidly. I had a wiggle test done on all my valves. More than half of the 16 valves were out of spec. If the issue is not correct a valve will drop and a new engine will be required.”
NHTSA complaint #11051354, filed 2017-11, 300 milesAir bags: “The air bag sensor light comes on which disables the system. Checking on the internet, this is a common problem with the c6 corvettes. The dealer acts as if they have never heard of it. That can not be true. My partner has a 2009 c6 and had the same issue. This has to be a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10638740, filed 2014-09, 10,000 milesExterior lighting: “I was driving on the freeway late at night, after driving for 25 minutes, and the road in front of me suddenly got dark. I thought that a freeway marker light had gone out, but after looking in front of me, I realized I had no headlights. I pulled off the freeway to a gas station and checked all my other lights, and my parking lights were working, my fog lights were working, my high beams were working, and my tail lights were still working. My headlights, or low beams, were the only thing that went out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098909, filed 2018-05, 83,300 milesMileage when problems were reported
69% of the 118 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,900 and 57,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Chevrolet Corvette version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvette RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Corvette RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 25 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Corvette RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Corvette RWD | 7.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,090 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Other or unknown, Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11014061Feb 7, 2025Other or unknown. This PIC provides a diagnostic check to help technicians test for a weak hydraulic cylinder on a power folding top.
- 11014060Feb 7, 2025Other or unknown. This PIC directs technicians into some common areas to inspect when dealing with a folding top that appears to be misaligned.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Corvette
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 25 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 21 | 500 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 27 | 812 | 1 | — | 15 | 43 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 21 | 9,250 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2021 | 13 | 12,500 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 34 | 1,100 | 4 | — | 19 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 148 | 7,953 | 1 | — | 17 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 51 | 10,000 | 1 | — | 18 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 257 | 14,000 | 4 | — | 19 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 104 | 14,500 | 2 | — | 20 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 65 | 12,000 | 5 | — | 20 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 63 | 7,700 | 5 | — | 21 | 73 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 82 | 18,250 | 0 | — | 18 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 56 | 25,000 | 1 | — | 18 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 85 | 28,900 | 1 | — | 18 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 84 | 35,202 | 0 | — | 18 | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 151 | 38,500 | 0 | — | 18 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 541 | 48,300 | 0 | — | 18 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 341 | 43,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 365 | 36,750 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 533 | 40,000 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 217 | 33,100 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 85 | 30,544 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 157 | 42,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 205 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 278 | 39,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 308 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 399 | 46,140 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 153 | 42,258 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 44 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 32 | 94,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 29 | 92,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 22 | 77,452 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 1992 | 7 | 34,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 24 | 89,450 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 1990 | 34 | 57,999 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1989 | 15 | 76,700 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | 57,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 21 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 15 | 83,200 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 92,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 14 | 94,000 | 5 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1981 | 6 | 84,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Corvette model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette?
Owners of the 2009 Corvette most often report a gasoline odor around the driver-side rear wheel well, strongest after fill-ups and when the tank is above roughly half, which many complaints trace to cracks or leaks at the top of the fuel tank or at fuel pump and crossover line fittings. The issues reported most often: Fuel smell and leak from top of tank / pump area; Airbag warning light comes on intermittently; Engine valve guide wear and valve train noise.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette have?
NHTSA recorded 151 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 82 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine with 24.
Has the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette (Corvette, 6.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette reported?
Among the 118 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,500 miles and the middle half falls between 21,900 and 57,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.